The main battle tank of the US Army is the M1 Abrams. Since the first M1 tanks entered service in 1980, they have been constantly upgraded, with the final version, the MIA2 boasting a larger gun, better armour and improved computer systems.
Named after General Creighton W Abrams, a former Army Chief of Staff , the M1 is America's key weapon for use in land warfare.
Its roles include spearheading assaults as well as repelling enemy forces.
Initially designed as a response to the tanks of the Soviet Union, the M1 was first used in a major conflict during the 1991 Gulf War, where it out performed Iraqi tanks, and although several Abrams were hit not a single tank crew member was killed.
Nearly 2000 were deployed during the conflict.
As well as being the backbone of the US Army and the US Marine Corps the M1 is also used by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
The MIA2, has a four man crew, and its 120mm gun is capable of firing six rounds a minute. Three machine guns are mounted on the tank, as are smoke grenade launchers.
It also has a stabilising system which enables the tank to fire accurately while moving.
Cooling system
The tank's turret can turn through 360 degrees. It is well armoured, some of the Abrams use depleted uranium to increase their protection, and it has a Nuclear, Biological and Chemical attack (NBC) protection system for the crew.
The crew are stationed in a separate compartment from the fuel tanks and ammunition to increase their survival rates should the tank be hit.
The crew is made up of a driver, gunner, loader and commander.
The tank also has a sophisticated air-cooling system to keep the crew and computer systems cool during battle.
Despite its weight the Abrams can reach speeds of over 40 mph (64 km/h).
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